Intelligence monitoring and analysis

AUSTRAC analyses millions of financial transaction reports each year. The agency shares its financial intelligence with a wide range of domestic and international counterparts.

AUSTRAC regulates the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) compliance of approximately 14,000 businesses in Australia (known as 'reporting entities'). Reporting entities are obliged to submit a range of financial transaction reports to AUSTRAC.

Data matching with partner agencies

AUSTRAC matches its data with data held by selected partner agencies to help identify individuals under investigation. AUSTRAC uses a program protocol that describes the security safeguards in place to protect data within the agency's database.

Sharing financial intelligence

Following the trail of dirty money is a proven and effective means of combating crime.

The Department of Human Services' Centrelink program uses AUSTRAC information to support its compliance activity. AUSTRAC contributed intelligence to 321 Centrelink reviews in 2013–14, achieving total annualised savings of $5.7 million.

Strengthening the fight against terrorism financing

In September 2014 the Australian Government announced $20 million of funding for AUSTRAC to improve the detection and disruption of terrorism financing and enhance understanding of the financial enablers of terrorism.

The funding provides:

18 intelligence analysts to support counter-terrorism investigations

a new capability for AUSTRAC to collect and transform financial data

capacity for AUSTRAC to capture additional information about funds transfers into and out of Australia.

Australia's terrorism financing environment

AUSTRAC published its Terrorism financing in Australia 2014 report to raise industry and community awareness of the risks of sending funds to high-risk destinations and recipients overseas.

The report outlines:

the channels used to raise and transfer funds

emerging risks and threats

indicators to help identify suspicious activity

legal and regulatory framework to help deter and detect terrorism financing.

More information

AUSTRAC's annual reports include detailed statistics on financial transaction reporting by industry and AUSTRAC's dissemination of financial intelligence to its partners.